2020 Global Fellows
Meet the 2020 class of Ford Global Fellows!
Abir Saksouk
“I believe that public spaces are a resource to fight inequality and corruption.”
BEIRUT, LEBANON, MENA
Adriana Barbosa
“I believe black creativity can be fully unleashed in a fair and balanced entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL
Alexsandro Santos
“I believe policy making must account for society’s most vulnerable.”
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL
Amanda de Sá Paschoal
“I believe we can make our voices heard—nothing about us without us!”
BRASÍLIA, BRAZIL
Carlos Naffah
“I believe in the power of accessible public transit to increase economic opportunity.”
NORTH, LEBANON, MENA
Chaima Bouhlel
“I believe that collective action is a tool to hold local governments accountable.”
TUNIS, TUNISIA, MENA
Crystal Echo Hawk
“I believe we can empower people to be the authors and champions of their own stories.”
TULSA, OKLAHOMA, UNITED STATES
Daiene Mendes
“I believe we can build a collective narrative and be the subjects of our own stories.”
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
Davi Pereira
“I believe academic study can be a collective effort that supports excluded communities.”
ALCÂNTARA, MARANHÃO, BRAZIL
Desmond Meade
“I believe that winning back the right to vote is only the first step in restoring basic equality for all people.”
ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES
Eluka Chelu Kibona
“To achieve gender justice, we must empower women and girls to become agents of change.”
DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA, EAST AFRICA
Hashem Adnan
“Theater, like revolting streets, recreates realities that overcome dominant social and political structures.”
BEIRUT, LEBANON, MENA
John Muthee
“I believe that innovation can benefit humanity and serve the less fortunate.”
NAIROBI, KENYA, EAST AFRICA
Maria Town
“I believe that intentional access and equity are necessary drivers of a successful disability rights movement.”
WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES
Melsa Auma Omaya
“I believe we can save lives and empower patients with a holistic approach.”
KENYA, EAST AFRICA
Mónica Ramírez
“I believe sharing stories can empower and liberate communities.”
FREMONT, OHIO, UNITED STATES
Muzna Al-Masri
“I believe that effective leadership relies on accepting uncertainty.”
BEIRUT, LEBANON, MENA
Nanjira Sambuli
“I believe we can redistribute insights, tools, and resources to heal the world.”
NAIROBI, KENYA, EAST AFRICA
Rachel Pearson
“I believe we succeed when we impact people who disagree with us.”
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, UNITED STATES
Rodney Foxworth
“I believe we can rethink how our economy works and put equity first.”
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
Ronilso Pacheco
“I believe religion and spirituality can spread a progressive message.”
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
Tarek Zeidan
“I believe that queering existing systems of injustice is vital to effectively address complex public challenges.”
BEIRUT, LEBANON, MENA
Teresa Njoroge
“I believe policy reform is crucial to create a pro-women society.”
KIAMBU, KENYA, EAST AFRICA